Thes two guys (dead promoter and JJJames) posted separately here in January 2017. I'd like to speak to them about the Agora for my book, The Encyclopedia of Jerry Garcia Music Venues. My email is slipnut01@gmail.com

Two shows booked, we thought the under 18 would come to early show. We were wrong, not one ticket sold. We bought Procol Harums system and some pieces of GD's. Very Little.No way did we have 25,000 for any sound system, we didn't pay that much for 3 clubs.
New Riders were advertised. Nobody has posters, they had fuzzy felt hand flocked and were immediately stolen and put in Dorm rooms. Another silkscreen poster was made in limited quantities. I have one. There was an off the sound board recording of the entire show made by Grey the original sandman. He died in California and don't know if I can find his tapes. He left to become Doobies Sound man and so did I in 1972. (to go on a Who tour) Will try next time in L.A. I promoted the show.

First of all this place was never called Club Agora. It was always either the Agora Ballroom, or later, the Columbus Agora. I was the sound man there starting fall of 75. I would be very interested in talking to anyone from that era, particularly about the sound.

this is not very good. They sound tired and off-form. Everybody has an off night here and there. For 70, it's a fairly good recording, but I don't much find myself wanting to actively listen.

This is not that bad for an AUD. recording 1970----still very listnable, and enjoyable. It may not be a quality May '77 SBD, but that's the way it goes--be happy for what you got. This is one of those tapes where it sounds like you are there.

I was at this show, my first ever.
What I recall was it was supposed to be two shows, but the equipment arrived late. It was
the New Riders followed by the Dead.
Steviewonder.

Not a stellar show, like the Capitol Theater run from earlier in the month, but solid, and very fun to listen to. These old audiences are such historical gems. It's great hearing people chatter in the audience, saying "Far Out!" and calling out songs. The crowd really gets into the Other One. You get those classic chick-at-a-Dead-show screams that are so sexy and cool. Good Lovin gets em riled up, too. Definitely worth a listen.

This was never advertised as two nights, but was advertised as two shows on the 29th - 2pm and 8pm. The New Riders were not mentioned in any of the ads but did play and the recording is available. Jerry is on pedal steel and is loud in the mix. The Agora did apparently buy the Dead's sound system after this gig and soon after began advertising "The best sound (including a $15,000 sound system purchased from the Grateful Dead)." This was the last show of the tour. I have never been able to definitively determine if two shows were played. Neither Deadlists nor DeadBase has ever listed this as an "early" or "late" show although DeadBase does list two sets. Deadlists does state that someone who attended the show confirmed it was a NRPS set followed by one long Dead set. Were two shows played? The tape sounds decent for a '70 aud and the band plays great but its still poor enough sound that I rarely find myself reaching for it. This venue still exists as the Newport Music Hall and bills itself as "America's Longest Continually Running Rock Club."

The Dead were originally advertised as doing two (2) nites at the Agora Club, formerly a renovated movie theatre then turned into a great rock club in the early 70's, located directly across from the law school at the Ohio State University Campus ( on High Street, no less). Something happened and the second nite never took place (rumor was a member of the road crew ran afoul of the local constabulary at the hotel?). The operators of the Agora purchased a Dead sound system (a sideline business of the band, apparently)for an advertised $25,000, which seems like quite a bargain now.

Sound quality is ok thats the only defect though, however this is one great show worth listening to just like the 46th street rock palace just a few weeks earlier on 11/11/70 in Brooklyn. Sound quality for that is awful and that show rips the nails out of the floorboards and sends you flying. Listen to this you won't be disappointed. :)